Thinkpads Forum

OK, so what has he been smoking lately that prompted him to talk about a timewarp T43p...

Let's just say that by a strange twist of fate I've come into possession of what can arguably be described as world's best-kept 15" T43p.

The reason I'm using the term "best-kept" is the fact that the machine was used - albeit minimally - and that there are still some boxed examples on feebay at $1K or so...

You wouldn't expect anyone else - with the possible exceptions of Brad or underclocker - to come up with something like this, would you now...

OK, so how "well-kept" is this thing?

Well...let me start with a teaser picture:



Imagine an 8.5 year old ThinkPad that looks and smells like new. And if you think I'm kidding, feel free to think again... ...because I'm not.



A ThinkPad that has no wear to speak thereof even on the lid corners which are the first part to take the beating....pardon the dust specs and fingerprints, pretty please...



How's the lid, you ask?

Well, I'd call it pristine...



And you?

Now, there's got to be *some* wear on the bottom, right?

Huh...no, not really.



The only wear spot on the entire machine - which would make me rate it 9.85 and not a 10.0 - is this one here:



And even that I'm going to attempt to clean out over the weekend...

So how's the screen?

Funny you should ask. I'd rate is as flawless and OMG bright. Too perfect to describe and no pictures would do it justice. Seriously.

OK, how about the picture of an entire machine?

Your wish is my command...



Happy now?

The battery - a 6-cell with 23 cycles - tells a story of its own, being in "red" from sheer lack of use. CMOS battery was dead, and the seized hard drive was preventing the machine from even making it into BIOS. Kid you not.

Of course - given that this is A.D. 2014 - I've had RBS perform a SATA-mod on this stunner, and installed a SSD...so now this thing can run as good as it looks.

For those interested in specs, here they are:

ThinkPad T43p (2668-WY5)
Based on 2668-CTO:
P M 780(2.26GHz)
1GB RAM.........................now 2GB
80GB 7200rpm HD.............now Lenovo-issued Samsung 128GB SSD
15in 1600x1200 LCD
128MB ATI FireGL V3200
CDRW/DVD
802.11abg wireless(MPCI)
Modem(CDC)
1Gb Ethernet(LOM)
UltraNav
Secure Chip
6c Li-Ion batt
WinXP Pro......................now Windows 7 Pro
Modded BIOS

More pictures and test results to follow over the next few days...stay tuned...

Holy Flying Spaghetti Monster, Batman!

That machine is in very good condition.

So what what are your plans for this beauty?

There's no question, she's a looker.

Looks great by George.

Enjoy!

Happy ThinkPadding!

Brad

Nice catch! Enjoy that beauty!

Now thats what I call a blast from the plast! I have done some repair work on a T43(not p) 2 months ago and it looks and feels spectacular - not only from the outside, but from inside as well.

May it serve you well!

Wow, that's what I call immaculate. Great find! It is almost to the point where it would bother me every time I used it. Is it for daily use, or will it be kept docked?

A couple of years ago I came across a T60 that is in a condition close to this. As I have two other T60s for use, it just ended up wrapped, inside my cabinet. Which is really too bad for a Thinkpad.

I've probably handled about 200 T43/T43p machines over the years.
But before I got this T43p for doing the SATA-mod, I'd never seen such a beautiful specimen!
There wasn't even any dust anywhere inside, and I take those machines completely apart!
Congratz George!

Truly a remarkable specimen!

I was not a fan of the T43 series when it first came out, but now, looking at this maxed out unit, and with the SATA mod, I can't help but feel a little a lot jealous!

A great catch. May it serve you for years to come.

George, is this even more mint than the QXGA T43p that you bought from me?

The 15.0" T43p is one of the most attractive Thinkpads ever, definitely much better-looking than any of the widescreen Thinkpads.

Screw my 570, that is one hell of a ThinkPad you got there!

Time for some GPU and cooler mods

Excellent machine you got ajkula66.
Museum quality machine you got if I may say so.
Thanks for sharing the photos.

That is beyond cool.

I've got a personal similarly-specced T43p that I never take out with the intention of keeping it as nice as possible. Seeing a machine that betters even that... really is amazing. It's gotta be absolutely amazing to grasp and view in person.

Thanks everyone for votes of confidence...I somehow knew that you'd like this beast...

Now, to answering questions:

Temetka wrote:

So what what are your plans for this beauty?

I'll be offering it for sale here on TPF shortly. My track record - over the past 35 years - of keeping stuff (guitars, amps, cars, laptops...) in pristine condition is exceptionally poor. This thing of beauty needs a loving home where it will be properly appreciated.

Norway Pad wrote:

Wow, that's what I call immaculate

And I would tend to agree...

It is almost to the point where it would bother me every time I used it.

With me, it IS at that point. Seriously. Can't bring myself to typing on it.

pianowizard wrote:

George, is this even more mint than the QXGA T43p that you bought from me?

That was one heck of a clean machine, old friend. However, this one is the nicest 15" T4x that I've come across over the last 5-6 years, and that says a lot.

Saucey wrote:

Museum quality machine you got if I may say so.

Indeed. Too bad I can't afford to run a ThinkPad museum...

Medessec wrote:

It's gotta be absolutely amazing to grasp and view in person.

I'm actually scared to breathe on it, let alone touch it. Looking at it is...well, let's leave something for one's own imagination, but a close view of a very young Brigitte Bardot comes to mind...

For all of you not wanting to use it, but stare at it instead:

A tool unused, is a useless tool.

Temetka wrote: A tool unused, is a useless tool.

Some of us have way too many toys...I meant tools...

Fair enough.

Fear not, personally, I have great faith that this amazing machine will soon find a good home where it will be loved and gently used for many years to come! ;)